Experts ponder Alonso-McLaren split
"He lost the world championship by one point and if he'd have thought hard enough over the winter I'm sure he could've come back fighting next year with McLaren against (Lewis) Hamilton," Gary Anderson, formerly technical boss at Jaguar and Jordan, told the Irish broadcaster Setanta.
It is speculated that the 26-year-old could be bound for Renault, Williams or Red Bull, while the favorites for Alonso's McLaren seat are Nico Rosberg and Heikki Kovalainen.
Anderson said he can imagine a move for Alonso to Red Bull.
"(Renault boss) Flavio Briatore basically manages Mark Webber, so it wouldn't be wrong to see Webber disappearing to Renault and Alonso's coming into Red Bull," he added.
Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, said last week that he doubts Alonso is limbering up for a switch to Ferrari — even if he has to spend a season at a private team.
"I have to disappoint all of Fernando's fans — I don't think anything will happen in that direction in the next three years," said Schumacher, a five time champion in a Maranello built car, and still a Ferrari advisor.
Legendary British commentator Murray Walker called the McLaren-Alonso split "a good thing".
"There's been a great deal of adverse publicity for the sport as a result of Alonso's petulance and attitude during the season," he told the Sun newspaper.
Walker would not, however, rule out a switch for Alonso to Ferrari.
"Although Ferrari have signed Felipe Massa, it seems contracts can be ripped up," the 84-year-old observed.
Fellow British commentator James Allen told the broadcaster ITV that he believes Alonso's short McLaren tenure damaged the Spaniard.
"The leaking of Alonso's grievances weakened his position in the paddock, as it made him look like a trouble maker," Allen said.
"Many teams were saying by the end of the season, that they would not want him anywhere near them."